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Trinidad and Tobago is one country with 2 islands that have very different personalities. Trinidad is not a resort destination, but Tobago is. The country’s prosperity is mainly attributable to its exploitation of oil and natural gas.
Although English is the official language, most people speak Trinidad English, a creole language. A few people, mostly in rural areas, speak a French-derived creole, Spanish, or Hindi.
The official currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$), but many goods or services are priced in US$. We quote rates as they are given.
U.S. citizens do not require a Tourist Visa to enter Trinidad and Tobago. However, a valid U.S. passport is required.
Because the U.S. operates on a different cell-phone standard than the rest of the world, your typical cell phone from back home won’t work in most Caribbean destinations unless your service provider offers an international plan. Buy an unlocked GSM world phone and use local SIM cards: This is your best option if you travel overseas frequently. You are allowed two 1 hr sessions per day. TT Wi-Fi is an initiative of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to provide free Wi-Fi access to the public. It is in line with the government’s vision to provide free and easy access to broadband internet in public spaces.
Tipping is not part of Trinidad and Tobago culture, though it’s increasingly common. Restaurants If no service charge, tip 10% to 15%. Bars Not expected, but there may be a tip box. Hotels TT$100 or more for cleaning staff. Grocery stores TT$5 to TT$10 for shopping packers, and assistance wheeling trolley and packing vehicle. Taxis Don’t tip maxi-taxis or route-taxis. Tipping private taxis are not expected but will be appreciated.
ATMs are widespread in all towns and tourist areas and within most malls and supermarkets. Many banks have drive-through ATMs. All dispense TT$ currency only.
You don’t need a power plug adapter in Trinidad and Tobago when living in the United States of America. In Trinidad and Tobago, the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 115 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.
The best time to visit Trinidad and Tobago is from January to May when the skies stay clear. Although the islands aren’t on the hurricane belt, afternoon rain showers are daily occurrences from June to December. Hotels lower their rates to account for rainy weather during this wet season.
The best way to get around Trinidad and Tobago is by car, which you can rent at either Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport (POS) or Tobago’s Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson International Airport (TAB). If you don’t plan to explore much, you can get by just fine with the cheap taxis. Buses are also available but are rather unreliable. When you’re ready to switch islands, head down to the docks at Port of Spain or Scarborough and board one of the private ferries.
Regular taxis are readily available at airports, cruise-ship and ferry terminals, and at hotels. All are unmetered but follow rates established by the government; hotel desks and airport tourist offices have a list of fares, and there are boards detailing fares at the arrivals areas of the airports in Trinidad and Tobago. Make sure to establish the rate before riding off, and note that rates increase between 10 pm and 6 am.
Maxi-taxis are 12- to 25-passenger minibusses that travel along a fixed route within a specific zone. They’re color-coded by route, run from the wee hours till late evening, are very cheap, and are heavily used by locals. Rides cost about TT$5 to TT$15, depending on how far you go. You can flag a maxi at any point along its route, or hop on at the appropriate taxi stand. Keep in mind that, due to their frequent stops, maxi-taxis can take a long time to get from A to B, though in Trinidad maxis that take the Priority Bus Route can be pretty speedy.
Route taxis are shared cars that travel along a prescribed route and can drop you anywhere along the way. They look like regular cars, except that license plates usually start with an ‘H’ (for ‘hire’); many private (P-reg) cars also run as route taxis. Route taxis run shorter set routes than maxis, mostly within towns and cities; fares start at about TT$5.
Run by PTSC, buses offer travelers an inexpensive way to get around, especially on longer cross-island trips, but can be infrequent and unreliable, especially in Tobago. For shorter distances, travelers are better off taking maxi-taxis or route taxis. Check online for schedules. For bus information, call 623-2341 in Trinidad or 639-2293 in Tobago.
Car rentals start at about TT$200 a day in Trinidad, TT$250 a day in Tobago, and include unlimited mileage but not collision damage waiver.
Catamaran ferries make the trip between Queen’s Wharf in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and the main ferry dock in Scarborough, Tobago; journey time varies between 2½ and four hours depending upon the vessel. It’s a cheap, fairly comfortable way to travel, with the added bonus of not having to get all the way to Piarco airport; though the roiling waters of the Dragon’s Mouth between northwest Trinidad and Venezuela mean that you’re very likely to get seasick: travel-sickness pills are a good idea even if your sea legs are usually very sturdy. The ferries have a bar, cafeteria, and outdoor area. Most locals who want to get to Vieques and Culebra take the ferry from Fajardo. It lasts about two hours and will get you there safely. However, it’s packed on long weekends and popular holidays, and service can be spotty. You can also take a car on the ferry, but the ferry service for cars is much more infrequent and less reliable.
Caribbean Airlines operates the 20-minute flight between Trinidad and Tobago (one-way US$24); there are around 20 flights each way daily. The checked baggage weight allowance is one piece up to 23kg. While it’s wise to book in advance online as tickets often sell out, it is often possible to buy tickets at the airport on the day of departure. Note that flights are often subject to delays and cancellations.
Trinidad and Tobago is a blend of Indian, African, Creole, Amerindian, European, Chinese, and Lebanese gastronomic influences. Trinidad and Tobago has one of the most diverse cuisines in the Caribbean and is known throughout the world. There are more than one national dishes, in fact, there are so many that Trinidad & Tobago may have more national dishes than any other country, national dishes include Callaloo, Bake & Shark, Doubles, Pelau, Curried crab & dumplings, Oil Down, Pastelles, Black Cake, Dhal Puri Roti, Buss-up-shot Roti (Paratha), Murtanie (also known as Mother-in-law) and Souse.
You’ll find something lovely to suit nearly every budget and preference in Trinidad. All the high-end hotels feature sought-after amenities, like top-class restaurants and excellent pools, gyms, and business and conference facilities. Hotel rooms average $165–260 a night, and guesthouses $75–105. Availability is usually good, except around Carnival and major conferences or events, where prices can increase significantly. While the country offers luxury hotels to simple B&Bs, there is also something for adventurers. Quieter, greener options exist for nature lovers.
Englishman’s Bay is a secluded beach on the leeward coast of Tobago, between Castara and Parlatuvier. Although the bay draws fewer beach-goers than Tobago’s western beaches do, it is considered one of the island’s most beautiful.
Queen’s Park Savannah is a park in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Known locally as simply “the Savannah,” it is Port of Spain’s largest open space. It occupies about 260 acres of level land, and the distance around the perimeter is about 2.2 mi.
Pigeon Point (also known as Pigeon Point Heritage Park) is often considered Tobago’s most beautiful beach and is home to the world-famous thatch-roofed jetty which has become an internationally recognized signature of Tobago. The resort includes a long stretch of white sand beach with warm aquamarine waters. There are excellent beach facilities such as bathrooms, showers, and beach-chair rentals as well as bars and a restaurant. Tourist amenities include souvenirs and water-sports shops.
It’s the surface of Pitch Lake, which is exactly what it sounds like: A lake “made of” pitch. And in most places, it’s nearly solid, allowing fascinated visitors to walk along its strange, often unsettling surface. Sometimes, it feels soft and spongy, like the top of a gigantic eraser. At other points, it’s more like quicksand. And dotted throughout are breaks in its continuity, revealing water below – not unlike a lake frozen for winter.
Tobago is the smaller island of the twin republic of Trinidad & Tobago, and not without its own unique wonders and secrets. One of the old mysteries of Plymouth is the tomb of Betty Stiven, who died in the 18th century. On her tomb is inscribed the strange epitaph:
Beneath these walls are deposited the body of Mrs. Betty Stiven and her child. She was the beloved wife of Alex B Stiven. To the end of his days will deplore her death, which happened upon the 25th November 1783 in the 23rd year of her age. What was remarkable of her, she was a mother without knowing it, and a wife without letting her husband know it except by her kind indulgence to him.
Piparo is a village in Trinidad On the southern edge of Trinidad’s Central Range, which boasts a few claims to fame: first, it was where calypso legend Ras Shorty chose to retire; second, it had been the base of operations for notorious drug lord Dole Chadee until his 1999 execution; lastly, and of utmost import, the village of Piparo was the site of a bizarre, hugely destructive mud volcano eruption that took place on February 22, 1997.
Accommodation:
Dorm room: $2.95-4.42
Food
Carry-out lunch and dinner: $17-30
Transportation
City transport ticket: $0.50
Route taxi fares: $0.75-1.50
Entertainment
Museum admission: $1.50
Alcohol
Beer: $1.50
Accommodation
Hotel room: $99-150
Double room in an upscale guesthouse: $66-89
Food
Restaurant lunch and dinner: $44-75
Transportation
Short taxi ride: $10
Car rental: $40
Accommodation
Upscale hotel room: $221-740
Food
Fine-dining lunch and dinner: $59-120
Entertainment
Guided tour: $52-115
When planning for your trip to Trinidad and Tobago, don’t forget about travel insurance! You never know what might happen and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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